Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Corey sneered, though his words slurred slightly, “Is your stomach condition fake?”
Caden uncorked another bottle, his voice hoarse but steady. “If you can’t outdrink me, don’t expect to leave here unscathed.”
For a moment, Corey glimpsed the reckless Caden of two years ago-the man willing to destroy himself to take down his enemy.
Corey’s resolve wavered. He was tipsy and dangerously close to losing control.
But Caden saw through his hesitation and smirked maliciously. “If you can’t keep going, I can always help you.”
Without waiting for a reply, Caden’s bodyguards entered the room, pinning Corey down. They forced the remaining liquor down Corey’s throat as Caden watched coldly, not drinking another drop himself.
Two bottles later, Corey was a wreck-his eyes bloodshot, his body trembling, and his stomach rebelling against the alcohol.
Caden stood, towering over Corey, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
Corey glared up at Caden, his voice hoarse. “Caden, are you even a man? You set me up!”
Caden’s tone was chilling. “It’s just a few bottles. Can’t handle it?” His gaze darkened further. “Back then, when you led me into that trap, caused my child’s death, and coaxed Alicia to Xada, did you not think this day would come?”
Corey’s tense body suddenly relaxed as he leaned back in his chair, a cruel laugh escaping his lips. “How is it my fault? Wasn’t it Dorian who crashed the car? Wasn’t it you who missed the engagement party to fly off to Terriland? Caden, Alicia’s incident wasn’t on me. The real culprit is you.”
Caden indeed blamed himself, but that didn’t mean Corey was innocent. Typically composed and restrained, Caden was able to prioritize the bigger picture. However, under the influence of alcohol, his control dramatically waned.
Caden directed someone to cover Corey’s face with a towel and proceeded to pour liquor over him, bottle after bottle.
Corey’s limbs were restrained, his neck veins bulging alarmingly. It wasn’t until all the alcohol on the table was depleted that Caden mercifully put a stop to it.
Corey’s complexion turned ghostly. He was unconscious. Caden cleaned his hands and instructed the bodyguards to throw Corey into the bathtub after slitting Corey’s wrists. Corey’s fate was uncertain.
Once the room fell silent, Caden sat alone in the private room. The club manager kept vigilant, wary of missing any directives or failing to attend adequately.
Noticing Caden’s prolonged stillness, the manager approached, asking, “Are you okay, Mr. Ward?” Caden barely lifted his gaze.
That was when the manager noticed Caden’s unnaturally pale face. “Mr. Ward, are you feeling unwell?”
Caden had consumed too much alcohol. His stomach was numb with discomfort. It wasn’t exactly painful but left him feeling weak. “Get an ambulance immediately,” he managed to say after a significant pause.
After summoning an ambulance, the manager expressed his concern, “Should we contact your friends or family?” Caden thought of Alicia. He pressed his lips tight. “No one must know about this.” If Alicia learned of his excessive drinking, she would be livid. Their relationship was already delicate, and it couldn’t bear further distress. He opted for caution.
Caden’s condition was more critical than he had anticipated. Ultimately, the hospital reached out to the emergency contact on his phone.
At that time, Alicia was discussing a movie theme song with Gerry. When she received the call, she initially thought it was one of Caden’s pranks. However, upon arriving at the hospital and receiving a notice of his critical condition, her mind went blank. The paper felt unbearably heavy in her hands, trembling.
Alicia steadied herself and asked the doctor, “What’s his condition now?”
“Severe gastric perforation, currently in surgery. He’s in shock due to excessive blood loss, and his life is at risk. Please sign. Don’t delay,” the doctor said.
Alicia had no legal ties to Caden at the moment, so Gerry signed the papers.
“What’s the success rate of the surgery?” Alicia asked, her voice trembling.
The doctor responded professionally, “It’s uncertain. Please wait outside for updates.”
As the doors to the operating room closed again, Alicia felt paralyzed, unable to move. It was Gerry who guided her to a seat, helping her slowly gather her thoughts.
Taking the opportunity, Gerry asked about the events leading up to Caden’s sudden hospitalization and learned that Caden had been drinking heavily at a club.
Gerry fell silent, sitting next to Alicia, anxiously fidgeting, not daring to make a sound.
Only when Caden’s personal medical team arrived did the lights in the operating room dim.
The doctor emerged to announce that the surgery had been quite successful. However, Caden’s condition had deteriorated, necessitating further examination, and he would need to remain hospitalized for observation.
Alicia, still numb from Caden’s critical condition, sat in silence, waiting for her numb body to regain warmth.
Gerry wanted to learn more about Caden’s condition from the doctor, but Alicia stopped him. Her calmness was unsettling as she softly asked, “How much did he drink?”
Gerry hesitated before answering honestly, “Six bottles.”
Alicia tightened her grip, containing her frustration.
“With whom?” she asked.
“Corey,” Gerry replied.
“Did Corey force him?” Alicia pressed.
Gerry fell silent.
Alicia realized the truth. In Caden’s own territory of Warrington, Corey couldn’t have forced him. Caden had chosen to drink of his own volition.
Shifting uneasily under Alicia’s intense scrutiny, Gerry stammered, “I… I’ll go check on Caden.”
Alicia had one more question. “Why did you suddenly ask me to come out tonight?”
Before Gerry could respond, Alicia answered for him, “Was it arranged by Caden?”
Gerry sighed. “Caden must still be troubled by your car incident from years ago. That’s why he drank with Corey. You shouldn’t hold him responsible for everything.”
Alicia responded with a cold laugh. “What right do I have to blame him?”
Gerry attempted to clarify. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”
Alicia said nothing further and turned to leave.
Seeing her departure, Gerry became alarmed and said, “Alicia, where are you going?”
Alicia said calmly, “I’m going home. If Caden wakes up, call me. If he dies, I won’t miss his funeral.”
Gerry was stunned by her coldness. “I know you’re angry, but at least wait until Caden wakes up. What if his condition worsens?”
Alicia shook off Gerry’s hand without a second glance and walked away.
The following morning, Caden gradually regained consciousness. The anesthesia had worn off, leaving him in excruciating pain and unable to move.
Gerry sat by Caden’s bedside, his dark circles so prominent that they overshadowed his weary eyes. Caden forced himself to speak through the haze of pain. “Why are you here?”
Gerry sighed weakly. “You had surgery. The doctor called Alicia, and I came with her.”
Caden’s chest tightened at the mention of her name. “Did she know I drank?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
Gerry rolled his eyes. “Of course, Alicia did. You brought this on yourself. She was so furious that nothing could hold her back.”
Caden clicked his tongue, frustrated. The slightest movement tugged at his wounds, making him gasp for air.
Gerry shook his head. “You knew you couldn’t drink, yet you still went ahead and drowned yourself in liquor. It’s understandable for her to be upset.”
Caden sighed, realizing how badly he had miscalculated. “Who would’ve thought it would get this serious?” Back when Caden accepted Corey’s challenge, he had thought he could tough it out. But now, it was clear his recklessness had taken a toll. Worse, Alicia probably wouldn’t speak to him for days, if not weeks.
Feeling defeated, Caden closed his eyes, his expression bleak.
Gerry leaned forward, trying to understand. “Of all the ways to deal with Corey, why did you choose to drink with him?”
Caden’s voice was weary. “Leave me alone. I want to rest.” Relieved that Caden was awake, Gerry stood and stretched with a yawn. “I’ll let Alicia know you’re okay.”
Caden instructed, “Don’t tell my grandma.”
“As if I’d need reminding,” Gerry retorted.
Gerry dialed Alicia’s number and put the call on speaker for Caden to hear.
The moment Alicia picked up, her cold voice came through. “Is Caden dead?”
Gerry glanced at Caden, unsure how to respond. “Not sure if he’s dead or alive. Want to say something to him?”
There was a pause before Alicia replied icily, “I’m busy. Bye.”
The abrupt end of the call left an awkward silence in the ward.
Gerry scratched his head, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, her words weren’t exactly kind, but at least she asked if you were dead. That’s something, right?”
Caden shot Gerry a withering look. “No one will think you’re mute if you don’t speak.”
After leaving the hospital, Gerry took it upon himself to give Alicia detailed updates on Caden’s condition. He painted a grim picture-Caden couldn’t even care for himself.
Though Alicia outwardly maintained her indifference, she privately sought advice from multiple doctors, discussing treatment options late into the night.
During Caden’s recovery, Alicia arranged for medication to be delivered to him. She ensured his meals were closely monitored and checked his progress daily. Yet, she never once visited him in person.
Half a month later, Alicia finally went to the hospital, though she remained cautious. While Caden was asleep, she stood quietly behind the curtain, observing him from a distance. He looked much better. The pale hospital gown softened his typically stern features. In sleep, his sharp expression was replaced with an almost vulnerable serenity.
Half a month ago, her anger had kept her awake at night. But now, seeing his pale face and fragile state, much of that anger had ebbed away.
Alicia stayed for a moment longer before deciding to leave. Just as she turned to go, Caden’s eyes fluttered open, startling her. Caught off guard, she froze, momentarily forgetting to run.
Caden’s gaze softened as it landed on her. His voice was tinged with longing. “You finally decided to come.”
Embarrassed, Alicia quickly composed herself, feigning indifference. “I came to see a friend and ended up in the wrong ward.”
Caden didn’t call her out on the lie. Instead, he played along. “Since you’re already here, why not stay a little longer?”
Alicia glanced at her watch. “I have a flight to catch soon.”